Robert Hensley

Robert K. Hensley, 82, of Webster City, died Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center in Marshalltown, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Faith United Methodist Church with Rev. Mike Willer officiating. Burial will follow at the Graceland Cemetery, with Military Rites conducted by the American Legion Post #191 of Webster City. Visitation will be held Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center. Robert Keith Hensley, son of Elza and Anna Marie Grace Hensley, was born March 14, 1927 at Lonestar, MO. He attended school at Lone star, graduating in 1945 from Martinsville High School in Missouri. In 1944, while serving in the Missouri National Guard, he was assigned to guard Vice President Harry Truman's house in Independence, Missouri. He then served in the U.S. Army-11th Airborne Division in occupied Japan. He received an honorable discharge on December 30, 1947. On February 22, 1948, he married Opal Irene Graham at Bethany, MO. The couple resided at Bethany where he worked at the Langford Grain Elevator. They moved to Webster City on July 1, 1948, where he worked for Lillegard Construction. In 1954 he started working for the Carnation Milk Company. He took a position as a sales representative in 1971 for Davis Marketing, where he remained, until retiring at the age of 79. Bob is survived by Opal his wife of 61 years; six children and spouses, Douglas and Anita Hensley of Marshalltown; Lon and Nancy Hensley of Williams; Dianna and Terry Ware of Marshalltown; Julia Carpenter of Lompoc, CA; Charlene and Kim Carpenter of San Diego, CA; Michael and Janet Hensley of Virginia Beach, VA; 25 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 5 brothers and 1 sister, Richard and Maxine Hensley of Sun City, AZ; Leola Shaffer of Lawrence, KS; Eldon and Betty Hensley of Banning, CA; Bill and Sandra Hensley of Liberty, MO; Kenneth and Joan Hensley of Albany, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson-in-law, Robert T. Coleman. Bob was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church, he served on the Board of Trustees and spent many happy hours working in the kitchen. He was a life member of American Legion Post # 191, where he was a Past Commander and Chairperson of the Toll Road. In the late 50s and early 60s he helped organize and lead the Sons of the American Legion drill squad. Bob was a Boy Scout Leader and a member of the V.F.W. in Webster City. Bob learned to cook at an early age which served him well his entire life. Favorites requested by his family were vegetable stew, deviled eggs and peanut brittle. Bob's greatest passion was watching his children's and grandchildren's personalities emerge.